sherry, best thing would be to contact your county's agricultural extension office or the university. They are more familiar with your area and best at recommending and help you out. They would have local information that they know more than us who are not in your area. Besides, the help is free and they would gladly help. That's a good starting point. Then you can clarify some questions in this forum and we will relate to your problems of growing your fruit trees.

Brenda, your post brought tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry...I just lost my dad a little over a month ago. He and my mom were married 60 years. I didn't even have chance to give them much of an anniverary party when he became ill. I'm praying for you for strength, it's the only thing that seems to help. How wonderful that you can get comfort from your yard and butterflies. On the day of my Dad's funeral I released 4 monarchs that I raised from eggs that we had collected. Two of them flew up onto a maple tree within feet of each other and basked in the sun. Ever since, I've had many, many monarchs in the yard. I'll always think of Dad when I see one. My first thought when I saw the picture was that it might be a Tabbaco Hornworm moth. But it's hard to get an idea of size because I don't know how big a ginger blossom is. Hornworm moths are huge so Miss Sherry's probably right about it being an underwing. Bless you Brenda, please accept my sympathy. Maryann in CT

natal: That's what I was thinking...take the other stuff out completely and just line them up. That's SUCH a pain b/c the hanger things are all uneven. Crap! tryin2grow: I agree with you. That's why I've put off this office for so long. My mom comes probably roughly once a month or so for a couple of days at a time so it's pretty often. But I never thought about putting gliders underneath. Duh! Great idea! I like the rotating pencil caddy and bought it for the functionality so I want that on the desk. My kids go in there for pencils, pens, highlighers, etc all the time. So do I. But I can put the other stuff in another place. I actually do use that calendar as a work calendar to reference and so DH knows what I've got going on for work dinners, etc. But I could get a desk one instead. I agree about the fringe lamp. My mom gave it to me b/c she replaced that one with something else. I should replace the shade. She likes having one right there for reading when she comes to stay. I like your feedback and the symmetry ideas. Thanks for the link as well!! barb5: 1. Hallway is not an option. We have one hallway in the house and that's the main hallway that all the bedrooms and bath are off of. I really don't want LSU posters down it. I'm a huge LSU fan but that's just too much for me. If we had a spare hallway, I'd be all for it! I really wanted them in the playroom b/c I thought they'd be fun in there but as I said above, I lost out on that! 2. I know what you're saying about the dark color. I'm in such a light and airy place right now I just don't know if I can do a dark color again. I had BM Moroccan red in the dining room prior to this blue and it made the room seem so cave-like. This office is the other small room in the house and I fear the same feeling. I don't want that same feeling of dread when I go in there...of course I do have that now... 3. I don't know if a new table is in the cards for me. We just bought ALL of our furniture post-Katrina in '05. So I don't think DH will go for replacing the table. Now the chairs...I got them from JC Penney b/c they were cute. But some of them are wobbly already. My hope (LOL!) is that we use the heck out of them and that will move me towards my banquette if they break. I'm disappointed in the quality of these chairs. But I don't think a round table would work in this room anyway b/c it's narrow. With the leaves out, yes. But if you put the leaves in, people wouldn't be able to squeeze in on the sides of the room. So here's what I did today (temporarily) to the dining room. I moved the rug and the table in more towards the back, right corner of the room. I feel like it opens up the room a bit and makes it a bit less crowded feeling. So it kind of helped me envision what it might feel like to have the table somewhat tucked over there if/when we do a banquette set-up. Of course, this is just temporary. It's a bit unconventional to have the table off-centered. But I think I like it. And you don't have to squeeze in between the table/chairs and the hutch like before. The gate is b/c we got a puppy a month and a half ago and he likes to use the dining room as his bathroom! When looking into the dining room from the living room: Looking in from kitchen:

I never posted on either of the forums, but read them all a lot. I have followed your other thread. I have few questions: *Do you think you'll eventually replace cabinets & renovate the kitchen? *If yes, when - few years from now? much longer than that? *Is the existing layout satisfactory to you or is there anything that has to be changed soon? Almost everyone suggested that you keep existing cabinets as they are. I personally like dark color too. BUT you are and will live in that house. Looking at them every single day. On top of it you mentioned that they are pretty worn out. So you should do it the way you like them. If you are not planning major reno soon, I would think it would be best to invest some $$$ & have them painted professionally. It will cost you little more, but results would likely be much better. (My daughter paints & I wouldn't have her doing my kit cabinets - walls, trim yes, maybe laundry cabinets!). Just don't forget that the frames/boxes (hope that is correct term) need to be painted same color. That has to be done on site, but it is much smaller/narrower area so maybe your husband can do it. Same paint color as door. The panel by the fridge should be as wide as the appliance - you mentioned that. Would you carry it to the top of cabinets? (I would). Then you need to make upper cab deeper - I am sure you know that & it can be done. Definitely replace tiles. Bar could be just drywalled & painted same as walls (I had something similar & it looked great). Is the counter appropriate depth?(looks just bit shallow, but that may be just because fridge seems to be sticking up too much-lack of proper width on that panel). I had caesarstone organic white counter & loved it. My cabs were darker brown with greenish undertones. And my backsplash was white tile (white on white subtle design). Together it looked great. Sorry, don't have photos to post. If you like gray cabinets (or any other color), I would suggest to go to paint store & p/u color chips that you like. I would take them to IKEA (or other kit showroom...) & look at all gray (whatever color) kitchens they have, comparing the color chips to cabs you like most . That way you'll see how the cabinets will look. You may be able to get ideas on backsplash & paint color too - usually, the showroom kitchens are set up to impress! I am not good in suggesting colors, but having paint chips will help again. Check them against existing walls. If you think it looks good, buy a small sample of paint, get larger piece of hardboard or drywall, paint it & put next to adjoining walls. You will see if they 'go together' much better from the large sample (make it at least 2x2', even bigger). Most important, I think, is not to rush. You will spend more $ than you think (it always works that way...), and you will have to live with result for a while if you don't like it. So rather take more time planning. Your kit is in very good shape for a while longer (even if you are sick & tired of the red cabinets). Don't get pressured into something you don't like, and don't do it so-so/good enough...just my opinion... Rina